Black Horses go back-toback
Schuylerville offense dominates in 16-2 win for Class D title
SCHUYLERVILLE, N.Y. >> If there was a time to be perfect or near-perfect it’s in a championship final.
The Schuylerville boys lacrosse team didn’t leave a box unchecked for first-year coach John Bowen and he delivered a page out of the Black Horses football playbook as the offense dominated time of possession and the scoreboard for the 16-2 Class D title Friday night.
“In the latter half of our season we have not done a good job of coming down, taking care of the ball when it was time to go zero, going zero, when it was time to go 100, going 100 and when it was time to just be in somewhere in that middle ground we haven’t found that middle ground,” Coach John Bowen said. “Tonight I felt that we did. When we had the shots that we loved we took them, but if we didn’t fall in love with the opportunity that we had, we backed off.
“This was the first time the boys played with that kind of patience tonight which I think you saw the way that helped us to
steamroll on both ends of the field,” Bowen said. “That was my stress point to them ‘You can create defensive momentum at the offensive end by the way you play and the way you take care of the ball.’”
The Black Horses (16-1) didn’t leave any doubt that they were in control in the Class D final Friday, putting up 11 unanswered goals in the first half led by Kyle Burnham’s four goal, two assist night along with senior Justin Carte and Seth Mattice adding three goals and assists. Noah Rourke was everyone’s favorite playing partner, scoring twice and handing out five assists in the win.
“One of the biggest things that Coach really wants us to do it keep your eyes up when you’re dodging because most likely you’re going to draw and slide and that guy will be wide open,” Justin Carte said.
He also heeded the words of Bowen about a quick start against Johnstown.
“One thing coach emphasized was coming out strong and we did that as you could see by the 11-0 start in the first half,” Carte said. “It makes us very confident knowing that they’re getting it done on the other side, knowing we can take our time and run our offense and not have to rush anything, that’s big.”
With the Schuylerville offense firing on all cylinders, senior goalie Riley Tavares had the best view of the quick moving and cutting offense, but wasn’t lulled into a false sense of security, turning back seven shots on the night.
“Offense that kept us sharp we were just excited the whole time so we were ready for it coming down and we wanted to keep up with what the offense did on the other half,” Tavares said. “I would say it was just communication, we just kept it the entire time and kept grinding the entire game and that is what I think really won us the game and kept us in it.”
Bowen, also the athletic director at Schuylerville, picked up for Andrew Smith who guided the Black Horses to the title last year.
“Coach Smith last year did a great job of getting the ball rolling here and he had family reasons why he couldn’t continue on,” Bowen said. “I was just able to take that momentum and continue to perpetuate that forward has been awesome.
“I think it’s one of five teams in school history dating back to the 50’s that has actually gone back-toback as sectional champs. I’m certainly excited for the guys and for the school community in general.”
The Black Horses will face Section I champion Briarcliff 7 p.m. Wednesday night back on the Schuylerville High School turf with the Class C sub-regional set for 5 p.m.